Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1050: Black Impulse (Part 2)

Step. Step. Step.

The landscapes swept by one after another to the right and left of Gladius, as if through the window of a high-speed train that was moving too fast for the human eye to see the surroundings in sharp detail.

’What do you think? Where could this jolly fellow be?’ Gladius asked without slowing down his speed.

Soon, he would approach the border between the Pacific Lands and the Wild Lands. He did it much faster than any of the fighters could.

From the other end ca the calm voice of his uncommon Operator.

’Hmm... I’ve already accessed the latest recordings from his NEP, but as soon as he ended up at the Dark Shore, the connection was cut off. Things would be a lot easier if I could get inside his Operator’s head.’

"Hah," Gladius chuckled, jogging over the lake. "No need to offend Silvana, she is a good one in their pair."

’Yeah? Which of the two of us is a good one then?’

Gladius shrugged.

’You asked the question, you answer it.’

Then, he took a deep breath as a gleam ran across his eyes.

’Anyway. You have so ideas, don’t you?

Xyrea nodded deeply.

’Sure, otherwise I wouldn’t be talking to you. From what I saw, he was fighting against a regenerative monster with a na. That girl is too weak to be from the Hollow Wave, so she’s a New Wave monster.’

After a few monts, Xyrea continued.

’The location where they fought... It looks suspiciously similar to the Sacrificial Waterfalls, sa kind of trees, blood, and the presence of the regenerative monsters.’

Gladius scratched the back of his head. He expected to hear sothing better.

’Damn, the Sacrificial Waterfalls? They’re fucking far away! You think a black flash could move him there?’

Xyrea nodded again.

’Yes, I am. That’s my only guess. Even if it ended up in a different region, it should be near the Sacrificial Waterfalls.’’

Gladius looked away.

’What if you’re wrong?’

Xyrea shrugged. ’In that case, you get there and you don’t find Adam Vinter. So no fun for you this ti. I’m sure you’ll get over it sohow.’

"No! No! No! No!" Gladius shook his head like a child who might have lost his treat. "It mustn’t happen! He should be there otherwise..."

His eyes grew deeper as darkness thickened next to his fra.

"I will destroy whatever will be there to vent out my frustration!"

Xyrea waved her hand. ’It’s no longer my problem, but those who find themselves in front of you.’

...

Whoooooosh.

Streams of wind swept over the bloody river, ruffling Rosana’s ends of hair and Osr’s loose mantle.She waited to hear what Osr, who had been silent for a full minute, would say.

Unable to bear the strain, Rosana’s voice bood out.

"Elder Osr... Forgive for this failure. I’m ashad to say that I lost to so K3-Phantom, soone at my level. I am embarrassed by myself, but I want to be honest in front of you!"

However, Osr was not angry or disappointed, on the contrary, he was baffled.

"Hmm..." he humd, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "At first, I figured you were facing an overly strong opponent that you didn’t stand a chance against in the first place. So, it wasn’t a K4-Phantom or soone higher?"

"No, I’m afraid it was a K3-Phantom... Elder Osr, I’m ready for any punishnt for my failure! I showed that I’m not strong enough!"

Osr shook his head, touching her shoulder.

"That won’t be necessary. Stop apologizing, I’ve told you many tis that once is enough. First things first - get up."

"Yes!"

Then, he looked away.

"Rosana, when I say you are talented, I am not lying to you. I believe in your abilities. Therefore, I realize that if you lost to a K3-Phantom, it was soone particularly capable. You said his na was Adam, right?"

Rosana nodded, clenching her fists tightly.

"He was much stronger than I expected. I had to fight him because he challenged to a fight to get my key spark."

"I see... But you still have it, considering you’re alive. You used your trump card smartly. The orb not only helped you escape but also gave Adam the energy he needed so he could evolve further.

"You don’t have to worry about him. He’s probably already back in a human fortress. It will take him a long ti to beco a K4-Phantom. I’m sure you’ll surpass him, and if you encounter him again, you’ll easily defeat him."

Osr was about to leave. He was thinking about how he could make Rosana stronger, how he could use her disappointnt in defeat for good, but right now Rosana needed to rest.

"E-Elder Osr... There’s sothing else I’d like to say!"

He turned around over his shoulder.

"What?"

"Shortly before the fight ended, he ntioned a na. It doesn’t seem to be a human, but another monster."

Osr shook his hand. "Go on."

"He said he regretted that I would be his last opponent, that Arnoth was more worthy of it. Who is it?"

As soon as Arnoth’s na sounded, Osr’s expression changed dramatically. His eyes opened wide in disbelief.

"Arnoth...? This... Didn’t he have ti to recover his strength?"

For a few monts, Osr clutched his head as his pupils trembled. He thought of all the possible events that could have happened between Arnoth and Adam.

Rosana was surprised to see her elder in such a state. Such things hardly ever occurred.

"So he killed Arnoth, didn’t he?" Osr asked.

Rosana nodded uncertainly. "I think so... However, I have no direct evidence. I only draw that conclusion from his words."

However, Osr had one way to test his theory.

"Aura."

"Agh?" Rosana blinked, in confusion.

"His aura. Was it dark and ancient by even a little bit?"

Rosana nodded affirmatively.

Undeterred, Osr took a deep breath.

"This is bad, very bad... It ans that Adam could be here at the Dark Shore. We have to find him. This Phantom is dangerous. We can’t let humans get another star..."